What do you think?
Rate this book
The Maya Myths: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes and Ancestors
The rich and varied stories of the great Maya civilization in one compelling and readable volume.
The Maya reigned for almost four millennia and occupied large swathes of what is now southern Mexico and Central America. Their civilization was highly complex, divided into politically fragmented noble houses, which gave rise to a diverse mythology that can vary between groups and retellings. For example, there are three different myths about the origins of the sun and moon. In one of these creation myths, animals and objects rise up to torment humanity, while in another, pots shatter and speak, unleashing demons upon the people.
Elsewhere, heroes descend to the ball-court of the underworld, where trees grow fruit in the likeness of severed heads, the ancestors converse with animals, and the Maize God is caught in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. To the Maya these were more than fireside tales—these myths formed the foundation of their culture, weaving together their ancestral and primordial pasts into a cohesive and meaningful narrative.
Mallory Matsumoto skillfully evokes the vibrancy of Maya culture, from the peak of hieroglyphic tradition in the eighth century CE, through the invasions of the Spanish conquistadors, and up to the present day. The book draws from well-known texts such as the Books of Chilam Balam and the Popol Vuh, Spanish texts, as well as lesser-known sources; images; and Maya oral histories—all reflecting a history of contact and change, rather than a sealed-off past. Illustrated throughout, this volume highlights the rich, varied nature of Maya myths, offering a deeper understanding of the communities that produced these captivating stories.
The Maya reigned for almost four millennia and occupied large swathes of what is now southern Mexico and Central America. Their civilization was highly complex, divided into politically fragmented noble houses, which gave rise to a diverse mythology that can vary between groups and retellings. For example, there are three different myths about the origins of the sun and moon. In one of these creation myths, animals and objects rise up to torment humanity, while in another, pots shatter and speak, unleashing demons upon the people.
Elsewhere, heroes descend to the ball-court of the underworld, where trees grow fruit in the likeness of severed heads, the ancestors converse with animals, and the Maize God is caught in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. To the Maya these were more than fireside tales—these myths formed the foundation of their culture, weaving together their ancestral and primordial pasts into a cohesive and meaningful narrative.
Mallory Matsumoto skillfully evokes the vibrancy of Maya culture, from the peak of hieroglyphic tradition in the eighth century CE, through the invasions of the Spanish conquistadors, and up to the present day. The book draws from well-known texts such as the Books of Chilam Balam and the Popol Vuh, Spanish texts, as well as lesser-known sources; images; and Maya oral histories—all reflecting a history of contact and change, rather than a sealed-off past. Illustrated throughout, this volume highlights the rich, varied nature of Maya myths, offering a deeper understanding of the communities that produced these captivating stories.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
8 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 7, 2026
Thankyou to Thames and Hudson for the finished copy of this book!!
This was a really excellent, well illustrated and accessible introduction to the Maya and their myths.
Full review is up on my blog!! https://www.kellread.com/blog-avenue/... ✨✨
This was a really excellent, well illustrated and accessible introduction to the Maya and their myths.
Full review is up on my blog!! https://www.kellread.com/blog-avenue/... ✨✨
November 27, 2025
The Maya Myths is the ninth book in the Myths-series, exploring mythology and belief systems across human history. As with the other entries in the series, The Maya Myths is an introduction to the world of Mayan mythology, intended for a general rather than an academic audience. Nevertheless, the author manages to add a wealth of depth and complexity to the narratives, not least by placing each story or character within their historical and social context. I especially enjoyed the author's emphasis on contemporary Mayan beliefs, an important aspect to include given how often Mayan culture is viewed through the lens of history and archaeology rather than as a still-extant and still-evolving cultural practice. A great addition to the series.
December 10, 2025
Super interesting and written well!
February 2, 2026
Great overview of myths and history.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews